These group holidays in Crete have evolved through
several successful years. We dance, play with myths and create rituals
together to enter deeply into the sacredness of the land and connect consciously
with the inner landscapes of our lives. We also walk, talk, go to the
beach and feast on the wonderfully healthy fresh Cretan food.What people said:
some words from past participants(click!). Crete has many faces, it is a paradise full of paradoxes.
Beautiful in all seasons, it has wild rugged mountains, high plains and
deep lush river valleys where both wild and cultivated food is produced
in abundance almost as it has been for millennia. At the same time there
are beginning to be problems of pollution, ugly tourist developments in
parts, rural poverty and de-population, and the mixed legacy on the land
and in the national psyche of three thousand years of foreign invasions
and occupation. Yet natureís healing power is everywhere apparent, the
people still show a warm and genuine traditional hospitality, women still
gather wild herbs and old men sing to their trees.

For me, and countless others, Crete is a place
of transformations and miracles. It is not a place to escape to so much
as to enter into our essential being, our relationship with nature and
spirit. People come here as seekers and their lives are changed. My intention
in offering these holidays is that we give something back by being here
consciously, joyfully, with gratitude, with the energy of our dance and
humility of spirit.

Rhythms
of the Labyrinth

May 9 - 16th 2000

Entering deep within and emerging renewed and
replenished: these are the rhythms of the labyrinth. The journey to the
centre is not straightforward: we need to dance all our rhythms many times
to approach the mystery of our lives, what we need and what we are here
to give. On the other hand, revelation or epiphanies can come as a gift
at any time if we are open to receive.

Practising the 5 Rhythms every day, the natural
ecstatic energy of Azogires, the magical power of the river valley and
the sun soaked olive terraces, the views down the gorge to the sea and
up to the rugged horizons, allow us to experience the rapture of creation,
inspire us to dance our dreams. Entering the incredible dark of the sacred
cave, steeped in legend, many have overcome fear and felt healed by the
infinite mystery in the heart of earthís darkness. Then we swim and play
in green sea caves, trek to the ancient healing temple at LissosÖand finally
create and dance in our own labyrinth, one by one, held and witnessed by
the circle.

swimming
in caves near Azogires

The centre at Azogires is very simple: a converted
farmhouse providing a dance space, kitchen and a patio where we eat, and
a separate building with 8 twin ensuite bedrooms with balconies and superb
views. A short and spectacular drive away is the sea and beautiful beaches
around the resort of Paleochora. There are also two friendly tavernas in
the village for drinks and simple meals.

Following the Thread

In Following the Thread, Rose Flint will help us discover the
connecting links between Crete and Avalon. ëDeep within the mysteries of
both Crete and Britain stands the figure of Ariadne, Mistress of the Labyrinth.í
We will again dance, (though not so much), write, and create ritual to
deepen our exploration of this connection and the meaning of the labyrinth
journey in our lives.
The valley of Azogires has an indescribable magic that we experience
as ecstatic energy, making it easy to understand why spiritual seekers
have been drawn here from ancient to present times. The centre is
simple: a converted farmhouse providing a dance space, kitchen, and a patio
where we eat under the vines. An adjoining building houses bedrooms with
superb views down the gorge to the sea. We are surrounded by mountains,
sunsoaked terraces of ancient olive trees, a stream where we can bathe,
and deep peace. There are two friendly tavernas in the village. A short
and spectacular drive away, the resort of Paleochora provides beautiful
beaches, restaurants and shops.

Rose Flint is an artist, poet, creative writing
tutor and art therapist. She has studied Celtic mythology and womenís mysteries
for many years, has worked extensively with shamanism and is a Priestess
of Avalon. She has been resident poet of The Goddess Conference at Glastonbury,
has a published collection, Blue Horse of Morning, (Seren) and her
poetry is widely anthologised.

Waves by Waves

The basic ingredients are dancing the 5 Rhythms each morning,
visiting sacred sites, connecting with the timeless spirit of the place,
creating ritual, and relaxing by the sea - all in a beautiful and ideal
new venue right by the sea and really convenient to Hania Airport.

Akrimios is a hotel/centre right on the sea facing the Akrotiri peninsular
in N.W. Crete. It has been designed, built and is run by Ingrid and Petros,
a Cretan/Austrian couple, and their family. Petros is a renowned Cretan
traditional musician (see picture!)and a farmer.They
have built a beautiful, private group room with a huge patio over the deep
blue sea see picture above). Akrimios is a meeting place for local musicians
and artists, as well as foreign guests. There is a tiny private beach below
the hotel, and other beaches close by.
The area is rich in historical and prehistorical interest. There will
be one day trip to the interior, taking in the mysterious burial place
of the five ëparthenoií (virgins or priestesses?) at Lappa and the extraordinary
burial site of Armeni where the wonderful sarcophogi at Rethymnon museum
were found. Other visits will be optional. The town of Hania with its beautiful
Venetian harbour, Minoan sites and lovely archeological museum is a short
bus ride away, and the stunning site of Aptera, with both Minoan and Roman
ruins, is within walking distance.

Postscript June 2000

Having recently returned from Crete, and spending time
at Akrimios, Iím glad to report that the venue is even better than I originally
thought! I had time to explore the beaches nearby, and there are several
that are wonderful, but I wonít divulge their different secrets! Iíve discovered
that the site at Aptera, is believed to have been the largest Potnian*
(Minoan) settlement in W. Crete, though the early remains have been
mostly overlayed by the later continuous occupation, especially Roman.
Much to explore there, right on our doorstep! I had the fantastic experience of attending two traditional
music evenings at Akrimios, and I have to say I enjoyed the music more
than I have ever enjoyed Cretan music before. Petros, the owner of the
hotel, is a lute player renowned for his passionate singing and for personalising
his music and songs for the audience: his group are really fantastic entertainers,
playing very ancient Cretan music as well as a range of highly danceable
Greek numbers. Ingrid, his Austrian wife, and their four children all take
part in the evenings, and the traditional food, mostly grown on their farm,
is delicious.

What can I say? Weíre going to have a wonderful time.
If youíve got the chance of doing both weeks, go for it - you wonít want
to come home after one! I donít know quite what will be in store at the
village festival, but Iím sure it will be a great send off from Aptera
and start of our tour! Iím thrilled that several people have already booked
on Paths of the Priestess: it is a long held dream of mine to take dancers
to these unique sites where sacred dance was once the way of life of our
shamanic ancestors, to feel the connection to the places through our bodies
and respond with our own dances, poems, and rituals of healing for ourselves
and the world. More detailed information about the journey will reach you
in August, as well as a ëwhat to bringí list for both weeks

Paths of the Priestess

September 12 - 19th

with Cora Greenhill and Ian Tranter

Ideal as an extension to the previous week, starting at Aptera with
a local village festival, then travelling East to visit some of the famous
Potnian
sites of Knossos, Archanes, Mt Juktas, the Eileythian cave and, of course,
the unmissable archaeological Museum at Heraklion.

Our last three days will be at the small resort of Istro, from where
we visit the smaller Minoan sites at Gournia, the island of Mochlos, and
Karfi, towering above the Lassithi plateau. We can descend the awesome
Skotino cave, and visit the lovely convent at Palliani built around
a two thousand year old, still sacred myrtle tree.

On this week we will experience the continuity of spirituality and culture,
the connection to sacred space and the relationship to the land that is
still so tangible everywhere in Crete. We will share our responses
to the different energies of these powerfully healing and transformational
places, and allow rituals to suggest themselves.

The itinerary will be flexible so that we can follow the group energy,
but there will also usually be the option of relaxing on a beach if youíve
had enough!
We will talk about our sense of the sites and will help to facilitate
sharing and rituals to focus and deepen our experience. However, we are
not an archaeologists and make no pretensions to being official guides!
We can send you a reading list to help you prepare for this holiday
if you wish.

Please note, there will not be taught 5 Rhythms on this second week,
but there will be opportunities to dance! We hope that many of you will
have been on Waves on Waves, so that the waves will continue within and
without....

Practicals:

For full details, including discounts for early booking, and travel advice
send for booking information NOW